building usb-remote-cable

achillies

I built a USB remote last night (using an LED flashlight with 3 button cells), and while it works fine to trigger the shutter, the cameras flash does not flash even in low light.

Is this normal behavior, or do I have something not set right (either in CHDK or on camera firmware)?

I'm using a canon sx130IS, with a not-yet-beta version of chdk ported to this camera. Even without CHDK running the flash does not flash, but the shutter triggers. Any ideas?

SkyWalker9

achillies
I built a USB remote last night (using an LED flashlight with 3 button cells), and while it works fine to trigger the shutter, the cameras flash does not flash even in low light.

Is this normal behavior, or do I have something not set right (either in CHDK or on camera firmware)?

I'm using a canon sx130IS, with a not-yet-beta version of chdk ported to this camera. Even without CHDK running the flash does not flash, but the shutter triggers. Any ideas?

Because the problem happens with and without CHDK, I'd suspect a camera setting. Your camera has the ability to set your flash to "Auto", "On", "Slow Sync", or "Off", I'd look at that first to see if it is set to "OFF". There is a photo in your Canon SX130IS Users Manual on page 159 that shows how it would look if it is set to off (item#16 on the photo). Hope this helps!

achillies

Thanks for the info Skywalker9!
I tried to get the flash to work using only my usb remote and the Canon settings (no CHDK running at all), and regardless of how they are set (always on, auto, etc.. ), I get no flash when the shutter is triggered. EDIT - In fact it doesn't take a picture, it only makes a sound as if it did. It was my mistake thinking that the USB cable might have worked without CHDK

I DID discover that if I load CHDK, and use "extra photo operations", and set "force manual flash", it works, and I can also set the flash brightness, which also doesn't seem to work without CHDK. Gotta love CHDK!.. EDIT - "Enable remote" on CHDK menu is what really did the trick.

But I still have to wonder why it doesn't work as expected using only Canon settings. Again, it's an SX130IS. Can anyone reproduce this?

beta

Hi,
I am using CHDK for Canon Powershot SD 600 camera. I want to remotely trigger the camera; its very easy task but i am unable to manage this simple task using CHDK. I had made remote cable following the remote trigger cable tips of chd Then I used SDM same setup is working... It is take pictures using same cable.... I am unable to fix the problem... Pls help me in this regard.... I want to use CHDK for triggering the camera

thenodemaster

Hi all. This is my first post/interaction with CHDK period. I am an R/C Helicopter pilot setting up for Aerial Photography and have settled on the Canon SX30IS camera. I am seeing that there is the ability of a remote trigger via USB with CHDK, but my unfamiliarity with the entire thing has me scratching my head about a few things. I am sure that my trouble is due to my ignorance on what things are called and how they work with this setup, so, please forgive me if this has been answered already, but I have not been able to find my answers thus far.

There are on/off switches that can be plugged into an open channel on the radio used to control the helicopter so that when a switch or knob or lever (depending on what channel you have used) is activated, the solid state switch will output 5V to whatever you have attached to it.

Follow this link for an example: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVPROFIL=++&FVSEARCH=ramq2312

Can this simply be hooked up to a USB cable that is plugged into the SX30IS to trigger the shutter with CHDK? ANd if so, what is needed to be done to wire the USB connecter to this switch and what and how does CHDK need to be told that this function is there? Also, what would be needed to disable autopower off?
This item: http://www.blip.com.au/item.aspx?itemid=14&ref=8 does EVERYTHING I want, but I have not been able to get a response from the company regarding its compatibility with the SX30IS.

Thank you in advance for your help.

thepanoguy

You may want to have a look at this post:

https://chdk.setepontos.com/d/6244

The trigger board may be a lot simpler than the other boards you looked at.

zeno

You should also take a look here http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentwire/usb.htm

James Gentle's devices are widely used for Kite Aerial Photography.

thenodemaster

zeno
You should also take a look here http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentwire/usb.htm

James Gentle's devices are widely used for Kite Aerial Photography.

Awesome! This is just what I was looking for! Now, what I need to know is how do I script the functions? I am not familiar with scripting whatsoever, but I can learn. Where can I find the scripting info to trigger the shutter and zoom?

zeno

There's stuff about the scripts (including downloads) here http://www.gentles.ltd.uk/gentwire/chdk_sdm/index.htm

Note that the page talks about SDM, rather than CHDK, but as yet the SX30 is not supported by SDM, only CHDK. The scripts should work form CHDK though, they don't use any SDM-specific features.

If all you want to do is trigger the shutter using a GentWIRE-USB, you don't need to run a script - just having CHDK running is enough (provided you set the "enable remote" option. If you want to use a GentWIRE-USB2 (which lets you use two R/C channels to control the camera) then you do need to run a script. The two channels send pulses of different lengths to the USB port and the script decodes them and does the appropriate action (eg shutter on one channel and zoom on the other).

Microfunguy

zeno
as yet the SX30 is not supported by SDM

A test build is available if anyone wants to test it.

thenodemaster

Awesome! One thing that I was wanting to do is to disable the auto off feature of the camera as well as using the A/V output all the time when I am SHOOTING, not just playback. How would I enable these?

achillies

For the SX30, the video cable supplied is "AV Cable AVC-DC400ST", which is the same as the sx130is.

In order to use the USB functions (for something like these remote units), as well as see the video output, you need to build (or buy) a USB/Video splitter. I'm sure you can buy one pre-build somewhere, but I built one for myself. A description and pictures are here -> http://www.achillies.com/CHDK_Files/USB_Splitter.htm

*Note: with my camera the only way to clear EVERYTHING from the display while shooting, is to use manual or program mode. Most of the other modes leave a status icon in the top right.

fe50

Thx achillies for the guide, i've added a link to this post & your guide to the CHDK wikia...
* http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/USB_Remote_Cable#Homemade_USB_remote_cable

BillPCT

Hi Everybody.

I'm new to CHDK having just installed it on my Canon PowerShot A570is. I'm interested in making a USB remote trigger so that I can use it when digiscoping. Mechanical remote cable releases are, at best, awkward and clumsy and the USB route seems to be the right way to go. Can anyone help?
Will appreciate any help and advice.
Many thanks

BillPCT

SkyWalker9

BillPCT
Hi Everybody.

I'm new to CHDK having just installed it on my Canon PowerShot A570is. I'm interested in making a USB remote trigger so that I can use it when digiscoping. Mechanical remote cable releases are, at best, awkward and clumsy and the USB route seems to be the right way to go. Can anyone help?
Will appreciate any help and advice.
Many thanks

BillPCT

Welcome to CHDK! You have the correct forum if you want to build your own USB remote switch. There are a number of versions in the presious posting of this forum that should work.

I noticed that you are new to CHDK, so I wanted to let you know there are also commercial switch triggers that will work with CHDK as well. Here is a posting on one that I found/use (Ricoh CA-1 cable switch) and I carry it with me all the time because it is so small and light weight: https://chdk.setepontos.com/d/4348/1017

Whether you build your own or buy a commercial one it is simple to use with CHDK afterwards.

Update: I did a quick search for the A570 in this forum and found two posts mentioning the A570 (there may be others)
https://chdk.setepontos.com/d/294/78;topicseen#msg9160
https://chdk.setepontos.com/d/294/71;topicseen#msg8089

BillPCT

Thanks Skywalker9.

Will look at the various options and decide which way to go.

CaptKAOS

http://tinyurl.com/5ruu9n5

I have an extra cable for my SX 120 IS but it has the hump in it...(see picture). Can I use this to make a remote, or do I need to buy another cord?? Please help...Thanks...

Pauls9

CaptKAOS
http://tinyurl.com/5ruu9n5

I have an extra cable for my SX 120 IS but it has the hump in it...(see picture). Can I use this to make a remote, or do I need to buy another cord?? Please help...Thanks...

Your link gives me the "Welcome to Windows Live" sign-up page.

I'd guess that the hump is a ferrite bead, used to limit high frequency interference. This would make no difference to the slow speed switching that the remote control uses.

CaptKAOS

Sorry about that...Here is a picture of the cable...

Pauls9

Yup - ferrite bead. This will work fine for a remote control.

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